Mining machine



Nov. 5, 1935. w. J. BAUROTH 2,020,169

MINING MACHINE A n Filed Feb; 14, 193s 2 sheets-sheet 1 [NVE/V702: WALTER J. BAUQOTH,

Nov. 5, 1935. W J, BAUROTH 2,020,169

MINING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [NVE/W02.'

WALTER J. BAUBOTH,

Patented Nov. 5, 1935 ATENT OFFICE MINING MACHINE Walter J. Bauroth, Columbus, Ohio,'assignor to The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, a cor'p'oration of Ohio Application February 14, 1933, Serial No. 656,696

34 Claims.

My invention relates to improved and efficient mechanism for supporting and guiding a slack portion of a power conductor connected to an adjustable power translating device and although it is particularly adapted for use in mining machines it may have a general application. A further object of the invention is the provision on a portable truck of supporting and guiding mechanism for the slack portion of a power conductor connected to a self-contained mining machine mounted on the truck for adjustment in elevation and relative angular positions while the motor terminal portion of the conductor is maintained in upright position and at the center of angular adjustment of the mining machine.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is an elevational view partly in section of a truck with a mining machine unit adjustably mounted thereon and embodying my improvement, the sectional portion being taken on the line I-I of Fig. 3 loo-king in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the complete track mounted mining apparatus mounted on a mine track for transpo-rtation;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View of the structure shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 4-li of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, 5 designates the frame of a truck mounted on the wheels 6, 6 Vfor transportation on the mine track l. An electric motor 8 is connected by means of gearing in the casing 9 to the sprocket chain Iii whichr is connected to theaxle II as shown in Fig. 3. The axle II is connected by the sprocket chain I2 to the forward axle I3.Y By means of suitable controlling devices the truck axles II and I3 may be rotated for fast transportation speed or for slow mining machine feeding speed when the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 is being operated for the purpose of cutting a horizontal kerf in a coal face in advance of the mine Vtrack and while the apiparatus remains on the latter.

A self-contained mining machine comprising a chain kerf-cutter I4, an electric motor I5, and power transmission mechanism, is mounted on a turntable I6 which in turn is supported for rotation on the ring I'I. The turntable IS may be mounted on rollers I8 which are pivoted to the ring I1 and spaced at intervals around the same. The power transmission mechanism between the 5 motor I5 and the chain kerf-cutter I4 comprises the bevel gear I9 which meshes with the horizontal bevel gear 2i) secured toI the vertical shaft 2| which is connected at its upper end to the sprocket 22 meshing with the chain cutter 23 10 guided around the cutter bar 24. The latter is secured to the bracket 25 rigidly connected to the turntable I6 rto move bodily therewith.

On the platform 5 of the truck are mounted three vertical guides 26, 21 and 28 for the motor 15 operated elevating mechanism shown in sectional elevation at 29 in Fig. l. At the upper end of the elevating mechanism 29 is a bracket 3! secured to the ring I1 and movable vertically along the guide 26. Inasmuch as the vertical'guides 2l 20 and 28 each has associated therewith elevating mechanism and a supporting bracket similar to those shown at 29 and 30 of Fig. 1 the self-con-A tained mining machine unit is rotatably supported on the ring I'l having three points of support.

An endless chain 3I is connected to a driving sprocket 32 on a shaft 33 which is connected to the motor 8 to be driven thereby. As shown in Fig. 3 the sprocket chain 3I is guided around the 30 sprocket 3ll (Fig. 1), the sprocket 35, and thence around the sprockets 36, 31, 38 and 39. The forward lengths or runs of the sprocket chain 3| may extend along the pan 46 which is supported on the'brackets 4I, 4I. Another pan 42 supported underneath the platform 5 by mechanism including the U,shaped bracket t3 may serve as troughs for those runs of the chain SI extending forwardly to the sprockets 36 and 33.

Associated with each of the elevating devices 0 29 is a clutch, two or which are shown at M and in Fig. 1. It will thus be seen that the elevating devices may be individually controlled to secure variation of inclination of the chain kerf-cutter I4 as well as variation in elevation thereof. 'I'he clutches may be operated by means of suitable operating levers which are connected to the clutches associated with the elevating mechanism for individual control thereof, as shown in Fig. 3. The construction of the power operated mechanism for controlling the variation of inclination of the chain kerf-cutter as well as the Variation of elevation thereof may be arranged as illustrated in the Levin Patent, No. 1,353,054, granted September 14, 1920, for an Improvement in mining machines. A brake 46 may be associated with the forward axle I3 and operated by mechanism including the rock shaft 41 and the operating lever 48. By means of the lever 49 connected through the rock shaft 59 to the bevel gearing 5I, 52 the slack in the chain I2 may be adjusted.

When the mining apparatus shown in Fig. 2 is moved along the mine track I the endless belt 53 rotates the cable reel 54 in the proper direction to either pay out or take up the cable of electric wires 55, which is adapted to be connected to a source of electric power. The inner end of the cable 55 is connected to a cable 56. The forward end of the latter is connected through a junction box diagrammatically illustrated at 5l in Fig. 3, to a cable 58. By means of clips 59, 59 the rear end portion of the cable 58 is secured to the frame 5 of the truck. The forward end of the cable leads upwardly through an opening 60 in the truck platform 5 and is connected to the motor I5 at the center of the ring Il or the center of rotation of the turntable I6. The cable 58 is of sufficient length to provide ample slack to permit the mining machine unit to be elevated and rotated to its maximum limits without unduly distorting or straining the cable 58. The apparatus for effecting swinging feeding movement of the kerf-cutter comprises a cable 6I guided around pulleys 62 pivoted on vertical bearings 63 as illustrated at the right-hand portion of Fig. 1; such apparatus swings the turntable I6 relatively to the ring I'I while resting on the rollers I8 as more fully disclosed in the Levin Patent No. 1,353,054 above referred to.

The slack portion of the cable 58 is adapted to rest on a rack comprising a plurality of flat bars or slats 64 secured at their ends to the truck frame. The forward motor terminalportion of the cable 58 is held by the clip 65 secured to the motor I5 in vertical alinement with the center of the opening 60, as shown in Fig. 4. Since the opening 60 is concentric with the upright axis of rotation of the turntable I6 the motor terminal portion of the cable 58 is suspended in vertical position at such center of rotation when the mining machine unit including the supporting ring II is elevated relative to the truck platform 5. When the mining machine unit is lowered the anti-friction roller 66 is engaged by the cable 58 to facilitate movement of the slack portion thereof rearwardly along the upper surfaces of the supporting rack.

The anti-friction roller 66 may comprise journals projecting from its ends resting in suitable bearings secured to the inner spaced-apart walls 61 and 68 of the frame 69 which is supported from the bottom of the pan 42, the latter being in turn supported from the depending brackets 'I0 and 1I secured to the bottom of the platform 5 as shown in Fig. 4.V

Since the pan 42 carries those lengths of the chain 3I extending rearwardly from the sprockets 36 and 39 as shown in Fig. 3 the bottom of the pan 42- below the opening 60 is provided with spaced-apart upwardly extending plates 'l2 and 'I3 which are flared upwardly and outwardly as shown in Fig. 4. The plates 'I2 and 'I3 are in vertical alinement with the peripheral edge of the opening 60 and are spaced sufficiently apart to permit up and down movement of the cable 58 while at the same time such plates I2 and 'I3 act to guide the cable 5B upwardly through the center of the opening 60 when the mining ma- 5 chine unit is elevated, and to guide the cable 58 downwardly toward the roller 66 to facilitate action of the latter in bending and directing the cable horizontally onto the supporting rack. A ring plate 14 may be secured to the upper sur- 1o face of the plate 5' concentric with the opening 60 to prevent oil on the platform 5 from reaching the cable 58. The plates I2 and 'I3 may be rectangular in shape and extend longitudinally of the machine and transversely of the axis of 15 the roller 66, as shown in Fig. 1. Consequently when the mining machine unit descends from its uppermost position that portion of the cable 58 below the opening 60 will be prevented from moving laterally relatively to the truck, by the 20 plates I2 and 13. If the flexibility of the cable is Y such that when the mining machine unit descends from its highest position, the portion of the cable 58 below the opening 60 tends to move forwardly of the roller 66 it may engage the in- 25 clined plates 'I5 and 'I6 as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 so as to co-operate with the roller 66 in directing the slack portion of the cable back onto the rack during the descent of the mining machine unit to its lowermost position. It should be particu- 30 larly noted that since the center of rotation of the turntable I6 is at the point of support 65 of the motor terminal and of the cable 58, swinging feeding movement of the kerf-cutting mechanism will effect minimum distortion of the cable 58 35 and therefore that portion of the cable 58 which extends above the opening 60 will at all times occupy a substantially vertical position irrespective of the adjusted position of the kerf-cutter in height or inclination or angular position rela- 40 Athe posts 26, 21, 28 extends substantially below the platform 5' as shown in Fig. l. The supporting mechanism 29 may for this purpose have 55 the construction illustrated in the Levin Patent, Number 1,904,489, granted April 18, 1933, for an Improvement in coal mining apparatus. At the upper lateral sides of the motor I5 are laterally projecting flanges 'I'I which may be bolted to 60 corresponding anges at the upper lateral edges of the sides 18 of the frame I9 which is secured to, or made integral with, the turntable I6. Therefore the motor I5 is mounted in an opening 80 in the frame 19. By referring to Fig. 1 it will 65 be seen that the motor I5 is mounted in an opening which extends through the turntable I6 so that the lower side of the motor may occupy a position closely adjacent to the top of the platform 5 when the several supporting mechanisms 70 29 are operated to their lowermost limits.

It will thus be seen that inasmuch as the cable 58 is extended through the platform 5 and has the slack portion thereof supported below the platform 5', the supporting devices 29 may be 75 extended below the platform 5 and the mining machine unit may be adjusted to a position closely adjacent to the top of the platform 5.

When the mining machine is adjusted to its lowermost position the upper ends of the fixed posts 26, 21 and 28 will be below a horizontal plane extending through the top of the mining machine as shown in Fig. 1. Therefore the over-all height of the track mounted mining machine as shown in Fig. 2 will be so low as to permit the latter to travel along low-roof mine entries and to be operated in low-roof mine rooms.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the claims hereto appended, and I wish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a mining machine, the combination with a truck adapted to travel on a mine track, of a platform on the truck, a turntable mounted on the platform for rotation relatively thereto on an upright axis, cutting mechanism carried by said turntable, means comprising an electric motor on said turntable for operating said cutting mechanism, means for varying the elevation of said turntable together with said motor and said cutting mechanism relative to said platform, an electric cable extending through the platform for connecting a source of electric supply to said motor, and mechanism on the truck for directing alo-ng said upright axis that portion of said cable depending from said motor, the said mechanism allowing the cable to move freely up and down through the platform responsively to corresponding movements of the turntable.

2. In'a mining machine, the combination with a truck adapted to travel on Va mine track, of self-contained mining unit mounted on said truck for vertical adjustment relative thereto, said unit comprising an operating motor, a conductor extending through the truck adapted to connect a source of power to said motor, and guiding mechanism on the truck for maintaining vertical that portion of the conductor depending from the motor to the truck, while enabling free movement of the conductor through the truck responsive to variations in elevation of the mining unit relative to the truck.

3. In a mining machine, the combination with a portable support, of 'a self-contained mining unit vertically adjustably mounted thereon, said unit comprising a motor, a conductor adapted to connect a source of power to said motor, the said conductor being freely adjustable with the mining unit relatively to the support, and mechanism on said portable support for guiding and directing that portion of the conductor extending from the motor as the conductor adjusts itself relatively to the support responsively to adjustments of the mining unit.

4. In a mining machine, the combination with a support, of a power translating unit adjustably mounted thereon and comprising a motor, a conductor adapted to connect a source of power to said motor, and mechanism on said support for receiving a slack portion of said conductor and guiding the part thereof extending from the motor tothe support to occupy a pre-determined position during various adjustments of said unit relative to said support.

5. In a mining machine, the combination with a support, of a power translating unit adjustably mounted thereon and comprising a motor, a flexible conductor adapted to connect a source of power to said motor, means on said support for receiving a slack portion of said flexible conductor, and means on said support for directing upwardly through an opening in said support the conductor to said motor.

6. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a power translating unit adjustably mounted thereon and comprising a motor, a flexible conductor adapted to connect a source of power to said motor, mechanism below the top of said frame for supporting a slack portion of said conductor, and means comprising a vertical tube below an opening in the top of said frame for directing vertically from the frame to said motor the motor terminal portion of said conductor.

7. In a mining machine, the combination with a support, of power translating mechanism adjustably mounted on said support and comprising a motor, a flexible conductor mounted to freely move relative to the support responsive to adjustments of said mechanism, means connecting one end of said conductor to said support and the other end thereof to said motor, mechanism spaced below the top of said support for receiving said flexible conductor, and means for gud'eng through an opening in the top of said support thatportion of said conductor leading through the support to said motor, while allowing the conductor to freely adjust itself relatively to the support in accordance with the position of the power translating mechanism relative to the support.

8. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of power translating apparatus adjustably mounted on said frame and comprising a motor, a iiexible conductor connected at its ends to said frame and said motor, a rack on the underside of said frame for receiving said conductor and mechanism for guiding the conductor through an opening in said frame as the conductor is paid out orA retracted relative to said opening.

9. In a mining machine, the combination with a support, of a power translating unit adjustably mounted thereon for rotary movement on an upright axis and also for vertical adjustment relative to the support, and comprising a motor, av conductor connected at its ends to said support and to sai-d motor, and means for guiding sai-d conductor through the top of said.- support to maintain the motor terminal portion of said conductor at the axis of rotation of said power translating unit and to enable the conductor to be paid out or retracted through the top of the support responsively to adjustments of the power translating unit.

lO. In a mining machine, the combination with a support, of a power translating unit mounted thereon for adjustment in elevation and for adjustment angularly relative to said support, said unit comprising a motor, a iiexible conductor connected at its ends to said support and said motor, means for guiding the motor terminal portion of said conductor through the top of said support at the axis of angular adjustment of said unit, and mechanism for receiving the conductor during adjustment in elevation of said unit.

11,. In a mining machine, the combination with a support, of a power translating unit comprising a motor mounted on said support for adjustment in elevation relative thereto, mechanism comprising a sprocket chain for adjusting the elevation of said unit relative to said support, spaced apart troughs for guiding two separate lengths of said chain, a flexible conductor adapted to connect a source of power to said motor, and guiding mechanism for said conductor to direct the latter upwardly between said chain lengths through an opening in the top of said support.

12. In a mining machine, the combination with a support, of a power translating unit comprising a motor adjustably mounted on said support, mechanism comprising a chain for adjusting said unit relative to said support, spaced apart troughs for two lengths of said chain, a flexible conductor connected to the motor, and a guide formed by the inner walls of said troughs to direct said conductor through an opening in the top of said support.

13. In a mining machine, the combination with a motor adjustable in elevation, of a flexible conduotor connected thereto, supporting means for a slack portion of said conductor, and mechanism comprising an anti-friction roller for guiding the conductor to and from` said supporting means when the elevation of said motor is adjusted.

14. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a motor operated mechanism mounted on the frame and adjustable in elevation, a flexible conductor connected to said device, and guide mechanism for the conductor comprising a direction roller engaged by said conductor when said mechanism is Varied in elevation.

15. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a fiexible conductor on said frame, motor operated mechanism adjustably mounted on said frame and to which said conductor is connected, and mechanism comprising an anti-friction device for guiding said conductor when said motor operated mechanism is adjusted.

16. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a conductor adapted to be connected to a source of power and mounted on said frame to emerge from the top thereof, means for moving said conductor relative to said frame and guiding mechanism for said conductor t0 facilitate its movement when retracted relatively to said frame.

17. In a mining machine, the combination with a truck adapted to travel on a mine track, the truck including a frame and platform on the frame, of a self -contained mining machine mounted on the platform and including a turntable mounted on the platform for rotation relatively thereto, cutting mechanism carried by the turntable, means comprising an electric motor on the turntable for operating the cutting mechanism, and an electric conductor connected between the truck and the motor, mechanism on the platform for elevating the said self-contained mining machine relatively to the platform, mechanism for rotating the self-contained mining machine relatively to the platform, and means on the truck located at the axis of rotation of the turntable to hold the conductor depending from the motor through the platform to the underside thereof directly from the centerA of rotation of the said turntable while allowing free movement of the cable relative to the platform responsively to vertical and turning movements of the turntable relative to the platform. Y

18. A mining machine comprising the combination with a supporting platform, of a turntable and a self-contained mining unit mounted on the platform for adjustment on a vertical axis relative thereto, means for elevating said unit, and a conductor cable connected with the said unit and suspended in Vertical position at thecenter of rotation of the turntable when the said V5 unit is elevated relative to the said supporting platform.

19. A mining machine comprising the combination with a supporting platform, of a self-contained mining unit mounted on the platform, 10 mechanism for adjusting the mining unit relative to the platform, a flexible conductor cable connected with the said unit and extending through the said platform, there being a slack portion of the conductor cable beneath the platform, the con- 15 ductor cable being freely movable relatively to the platform as the mining unit is adjusted, supporting means for the slack portion of the cable, and means engaged by the cable to facilitate movement of the slack portion thereof along the sup- 20 porting means as the cable is paid out or retracted responsively to adjustment of the mining unit.

2G. A mining machine comprising the combination with a supporting platform, of a self-contained mining unit mounted on the platform, 25 mechanism for raising and lowering the mining unit relatively to the platform, a flexible conductor cable connected with the said unit and extending through the said platform, the cable having a slack portion beneath the platform and being 30 freely movable through the platform as the mining unit is adjusted, a supporting rack for the slack portion of the cable, and means engaged by the cable to facilitate movement of the slack portion thereof along the supporting rack as the cable 35 is retracted responsively to lowering of the mining unit.

21. A mining machine comprising the combination with a supporting platform, of a self-contained mining unit mounted on the platform, 40 mechanism for vertically adjusting the mining unit relatively to the platform, a exible conductor cable passed through the platform and connected with the mining unit, the cable having a slack portion beneath the platform and being 45 freely movable through the platform as the mining unit is adjusted, a supporting rack for the slack portion of the cable, and an anti-friction roller engaged by the cable to facilitate movement of the slack portion thereof 'rearwardly 50 along the upper surfaces of the supporting rack as the cable is retracted responsively to lowering of the mining unit.

22. A mining machine comprising the combination with a truck land a platform on the truck, of a self-contained mining unit mounted on the platform, mechanism for vertically adjusting the said mining unit relatively to the platform, the platform being provided with an opening, a conductor cable passing through the opening and connected withy the said mining unit and having a portion extending below the said opening, and means for preventing the portion of the cable below the opeing from moving laterally of the truck when the mining machine unit descends.

23. A mining machine comprising the combination with a truck and a platform on the truck, of power translatingmeohanism mountedon the platform, mechanism for adjusting the power translating mechanism relatively to the platform, iiexible conductor cable passing through the platform and connected to the power translating mechanism, the said Vconductor cable having a slack portion beneath the platform, a supporting rack for the slack portion of the cable, and mechanism for directing the said slack portion of the cable 'back onto the rack with the minimum of bending as the cable is retracted during'correspending adjustment of the power translating mechanism relative to the platform.

24. A mining machine comprising the combination with a truck and a platform on the truck, of power translating mechanism mounted on the platform, mechanism for vertically adjusting the power translating mechanism relatively to the platform,' a flexible conductor cable passing through a suitable opening in the platform and connected to the power translating mechanism, the said conductor cable having a slack portion beneath the platform, a supporting rack for the slack portion of the cable, and mechanism including inclined plates positioned beneath the opening and a roller cooperating with the plates for directing the slack portion of the cable back onto the rack as the cable is retracted during descent of the mining machine unit.

25. A mining machine comprising the combination with a truck adapted to move along a mine track and a platform on the truck, of a self-contained mining unit on the platform, a conductor cable connected to the mining unit and extending through the platform and having a slack portion beneath the platform, supporting means below the platform for supporting the slack portion, and adjusting devices for the mining unit enabling the said unit to be adjusted to a position closely adjacent the top of the said platform to enable the machine to travel along low-roof mine entries and to be operated in low-roof mine rooms.

26. A mining machine comprising the combination with a truck adapted to move along a mine track and a platform on the truck, of a self-contained mining unit on the platform, a flexible conductor cable connected to the mining unit and extending through the platform and having a slack portion disposed beneath the platform, supporting means beneath the platform for supporting the slack portion of the cable, and adjusting devices for the mining unit, the disposition of the cable beneath the platform enabling the adjusting devices for the mining unit to be extended below the platform, thereby enabling the mining unit to be adjusted closely adjacent the top of the said platform for enabling the mining machine to travel along low-roof mine entries and to be operated in low-roof mine rooms.

27. A mining machine comprising the combination with a truck and a platform on the truck, of power translating mechanism on the platform vertically adjustable relatively thereto, the said platform having an opening therethrough, a conductor cable connected to the power translating mechanism and suspended in vertical position therefrom through the said opening, anda ring plate on the upper surface of the platform around the said opening for preventing oil on the platform from reaching the cable.

A mining machine comprising the combinazion with a truck and a platform on the truck, of power translating mechanism on the platform adjustable relatively thereto on a vertical axis, the said platform having an opening therethrough coincident with the said axis, a flexible conductor cable connected to the power translating mechanism and extending through the said opening, being suspended in vertical position from the power translating mechanism and having a slack portion below the platform enabling the cable to be freely paid out and retracted in response to corresponding adjustments of the power' translating mechanism, supporting means for the slack portion of the cable, and mechanism for guiding the cable onto the supporting means, responsively to retraction of the cable, with the minimum of destructive distortion of the cable.

29. A mining machine comprising the combination with a truck and a platform on the truck, of power translating mechanism on the platform adjustable relatively thereto on a vertical axis, the said platform having an opening therethrough coincident with the said axis, a flexible conductor cable connected to the power translating mechanism and extending through the said opening, being suspended in vertical position from the power translating mechanism and having a slack portion below the platform enabling the cable to be freely paid out and retracted in response to corresponding adjustments of the power translating mechanism, a supporting rack for the slack portion of the cable, guide plates beneath the opening and adjacent thereto and flaring upwardly and outwardly, and a roller engaged by the cable and cooperating with the guide plates to guide the cable onto the rack as the cable is retracted.

30. A mining machine comprising the combination with a truck having a platform thereon, of motor operated mechanism on the platform, means for adjusting the elevation of the said mechanism relatively to the platform, the said means extending below the platform, a cable connected to the motor, and a support below the platform for carrying slack portions of the cable, the cable being passed through the platform for connection with the said motor operated mechanism and being freely movable relatively to the platform in response to variations in elevation of the said mechanism.

3l. In a mining machine, the combination with a truck having a' platform thereon, of a turntable 40 having an opening therethrough and carried on the platform, a motor mounted within the opening and carried on the turntable, mechanism for adjusting the elevation of the turntable relatively to the platform, and a conductor cable connected with the motor and disposed relatively to the platform and motor to enable the lower side of the motor to occupy a position closely adjacent the top of the platform when the mechanism for adjusting the elevation of the turntable is operated to the lowest possible limit.

32. In a mining machine, the combination with a truck having a platform thereon, a turntable frame having an opening therethrough and carried on the platform, a motor mounted within the opening and suspended from said frame, the said motor being positioned in the turntable frame so that the lower side of the motor may occupy a position closely adjacent the top of the platform.

33. In a mining machine, the combination with a truck having a platform thereon', of a, selfcontained mining unit on the platform, the unit including a motor, means for adjusting the said unit relatively to the platform in elevation and relative angular positions, a flexible power conductor connected to the motor of the mining unit and having a slack portion adapted to be paid out and retracted responsively to adjustments of the said mining unit, and supporting and guiding mechanism for the slack portion of the power conductor to enable free movement of the conductor in accordance with adjustments of the mining unit, the motor terminal portion of the conductor being maintained in upright position and at the center of angular adjustment of the mining unit.

34. A mining machine comprising the combina.- tion with a truck having a platform thereon, of a turntable adjustably mounted on the platform, a self-contained mining machine on the turntable, the platform being provided with an opening concentric with the turntable, a pan below the opening and provided with spaced apart up- 10 Wardly extending plates, and a conductor cable extending upwardly through the opening in the' platform and connected with the self-contained mining machine, the cable having a slack portion beneath the platform for enabling the cable to be paid out and retracted in response to adjustments of the turntable, the said plates being ared upwardly and outwardly and guiding the conductor upwardly and downwardly responsively to up and down adjustments of the turntable.

WALTER J. BAUROTH. 

